England youngster Gittens may leave, Dortmund interested in selling this summer

At just 20 years of age, England U21 youngster Jamie Bynoe-Gittens has recently become the centre of attention in the transfer market. According to reliable sources, the winger, who plays for Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, has formally expressed his desire to leave the club, with all three of the Premier League‘s traditional giants – Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea – keeping a close eye on him.

Up and down performances, form a trigger for departure

Gittens has shown great potential and attacking efficiency in the early part of the 2023/24 season. He scored nine goals for Dortmund and played a key role in the team’s run to the last eight of the Champions League. However, Gittens’ form fluctuated significantly towards the latter part of the season. He failed to score in 16 consecutive matches, and this lacklustre performance caused him to lose the trust of manager Niko Kovac and gradually fade out of the starting line-up.

Although he finally broke his goal drought against Freiburg, it didn’t seem to be enough to turn his situation in the team around. All indications are that Gittens is looking for a fresh start, an environment that will provide him with more playing opportunities and room to develop.

Dortmund willing to release, transfer fee may be discounted

According to the latest report from German media outlet Sky Sport, Dortmund have been made aware of Gittens’ transfer intentions and have indicated that they will not force the youngster to stay as long as a suitable offer is made. In fact, as early as this year’s winter transfer period, the English media rumours that Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are interested in signing Gittens, although at that time his intention to transfer is not clear, but now the situation has changed.

Borussia Dortmund were reported to have bid as much as €100 million for the youngster a few months ago, enough to show their recognition of Gittens’ potential. However, today the club’s stance has softened. According to inside sources, Dortmund are currently valuing him at around €60 million and are willing to compromise this summer to facilitate a deal.

Gittens’ CV and future potential

Gittens was born in 2004 and is a member of the England national youth team. He was trained at the Manchester City youth camp before moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2020. One of Dortmund’s key young talents in recent years, Gittens has already made more than 100 appearances for the team and has signed with the club until 2028.

His skill set is characterised by his speed and agility, and he specialises in solo breakthroughs as well as side attacks. In Dortmund’s tactical system, he was once an indispensable point of attack on the left. Despite the ups and downs of his current form, in the opinion of most professionals, the 20-year-old young player still has a very high ceiling, and as long as he is given enough support and game time, he is expected to grow into a new star in the Premier League and even in European football in the next few years.

Champions League performance is the focus of controversy

It is worth mentioning that Gittens was given his debut in the first leg of Dortmund’s Champions League quarter-final match against Barcelona. Unfortunately, he and his teammates looked out of sorts throughout the match, and Dortmund eventually lost 0-4. The loss not only demoralised the team, but also raised questions about the ability and form of some of the players. Although Gittens was not solely responsible for the loss, his performance in this crucial battle has undoubtedly had an impact on his current position in the team.

Who is the best fit for Gittens at the Premier League giants?

At the moment, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are widely recognised as the teams most likely to sign Gittens. All three teams are in a phase of squad rebuilding or rejuvenation, and there is a need for personnel rotation in the attacking positions on the wings.

• Liverpool, with a new manager on the horizon, will be adjusting their style of play and formation in the future, and Gittens’ youth and explosiveness could be right in line with their direction of reinforcements.
• Man United have been looking for young, promising English players in recent years, hoping to create a more dynamic attacking line. Gittens is a good fit with United’s style, and his return to England may be easier on his psyche as he was previously educated at Manchester City.
• Chelsea are known as the experimental base of the ‘youth storm’, and the team has frequently signed young talents in the past two seasons. The addition of Gittens could further enrich their side options.

Summary: A Young Player’s Decision

For Gittens, his career choice at this stage will have a direct impact on his growth trajectory in the coming years. If he stays at Dortmund, he will have to regain his confidence and athleticism to win back the manager’s trust, while if he chooses to move to another club, he will have to adapt to a brand new environment, tactical system, and a more intense pace of the league.

Whether he ultimately chooses to stay in the team or transfer, Gittens is facing an important career point. In the highly competitive world of modern football, every step a young player takes is crucial. While a move may bring more opportunities, it also comes with pressure and uncertainty. For the England U21 hopeful, the choice of his next stop will determine whether or not he can step into the ranks of true stars.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)